A bone fracture, or broken bone, occurs when a bone is damaged through repetitive stress, a high-force impact, or osteoporosis. A bone can be considered “fractured” if it cracks, shatters, or breaks. The type of treatment required for a bone fracture will depend on the specific bone that is broken and the severity of the damage. Some people are surprised to learn that not all broken bones require a trip to an emergency room. In fact, many fractures can be treated at a UHealth Jackson Urgent Care center in Miami, FL.

Tenderness, swelling, and bruising at the site of an injury are telltale signs of a bone fracture. Additionally, it may be difficult to move or bear weight on a broken bone. To help you decide where to seek treatment for a bone fracture, the medical professionals at UHealth Jackson Urgent Care in Miami, Florida, offer the following guidelines. In general, you should call 911 or go directly to the nearest ER if:

A suspected bone fracture is accompanied by heavy bleeding

Gentle pressure or movement causes severe pain

A bone has pierced the skin (a compound fracture)

Numbness or tingling sensations are felt in an arm or leg

Your head, neck, back, or hip is affected

If there are no signs of an emergency, the board-certified, UHealth — the University of Miami Health System physicians at UHealth Jackson Urgent Care can provide prompt broken bone treatment that can later be followed up by an orthopedic specialist. Before you come in, be sure to immobilize the injured area; you can also apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel to help reduce swelling. Usually, we can diagnose a bone fracture with an on-site X-ray, after which we may apply a splint, brace, or temporary cast to stabilize the affected bone until it can be set and encased in a more permanent cast by an orthopedic specialist, if necessary. Some complex fractures may require surgery or additional treatment measures.

At any UHealth Jackson Urgent Care center in Miami, FL, you can walk in and receive fast and effective bone fracture treatment from a board-certified physician — we’re here for you every day from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. We accept most health insurance plans, as well as credit cards, checks, and cash, and we’ve established an affordable rate schedule for our self-paying patients.